Team and Partner Workouts Are Taking the Fitness World by Storm (Plus, Here’s One to Try!)

Wanna burn major cals and be smiling all the way through your workout? Grab a partner. Team- and partner-based workouts are having a moment in the fitness world right now -- and we can bet you'll see tons more of these workouts popping up in 2014. With elements of both competitiveness and camaraderie, group workouts that truly put you in a "for the good of the group" mindset are quite simply, crushin' it.

“Group fitness is still really individualized, so we wanted to create our own category called ‘team fitness,'” says Brian Gallagher, co-founder of Throwback Fitness, one of several new indoor rowing spaces to pop up in New York City over the past few months. While Throwback’s workouts are based around intervals on rowing machines, the workouts also borrow elements of playground games to create fun, circuit-style routines.

“It’s motivating to work with someone else,” agrees Mike Jock, trainer at Exceed Physical Culture in NYC. Jock frequently uses partner-style training in his classes because he finds that when someone else is holding you accountable for your work, it improves individuals’ intensity and performance. His clients work harder because they don’t want to let their partner down.

More evidence of team-driven fitness sweeping the scene? Even the studio cycling world is cashing in on the trend. SWERVE Fitness, a brand-newcycling studio in NYC, pits three teams against each other, averaging the riders’ scores. A digital board displays each team’s results during spring segments. Building on the tenants of motivation, community and accountability, SWERVE is designed to bring the spirit of team sports into the gym.

Convinced? Find a friend that will push you to your limit and complete this partner workout from Mike Jock, trainer at Exceed Physical Culture. No gym needed!

INSTRUCTIONS: Partner A completes the assigned movements below while Partner B holds a plank on elbows. The partner in plank has to stay in position until their partner finishes the strength routine. Then, switch so Partner B completes the strength movements while Partner A holds plank.

Once one round is completed, repeat one or two more times. Try to keep the “switch time” to a minimum to keep yourself moving and keep your heart rate up for maximum fat burning.